Electrical Engineers vs Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $111,910 more per year than Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals.
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Electrical Engineers or Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $111,910 (null% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
What is the salary range for Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Salary data for Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is not currently available.
How many Electrical Engineers and Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and N/A Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 while Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $0. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS